Barnstormers Trade Raterink in Exchange for Coffman

Des Moines, Iowa - The Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League have announced that they have been assigned four players in the Offseason Assignment Process, highlighted by former Chicago Rush Quarterback Carson Coffman. In conjunction with this process, the Arena Football League released the following statement Friday afternoon:

"Arena Football League owners have asked each other to commit to the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In the past, all commitments were for single seasons. This offseason, the owners across the AFL requested two-year commitments. Fourteen teams submitted the proper documentation for the 2014 and 2015 seasons; however, the Chicago Rush and Utah Blaze did not submit commitment forms. We fully expect both Chicago and Utah to return to become members of the AFL family again in the near future. All AFL players are under contract to the League and assigned by the League office to member teams. The AFL will continue its business practice of assigning players to member teams. In addition to our returning teams and the LA KISS, another market has submitted its completed documentation for 2014 and 2015. The League anticipates an announcement in the near future regarding this team".

Based on team's win-loss record during the 2013 season, the Barnstormers were awarded the 5th selection in each round of the reassignment process. Head Coach Mike Hohensee wasted no time in making a move that sent Quarterback J.J. Raterink to the Los Angeles Kiss, in return for the third selection in the first round, giving Iowa two of the top 5 selections. Iowa used the first selection to take Coffman and then selected OL Antonio Narcisse two picks later. The Barnstormers were also assigned FB Ben Stallings and OL Levon McCoy in rounds 2 and 3.

Coffman (6-3, 215) joins the Barnstormers after spending the 2013 season with the Chicago Rush. In 16 games with Chicago, Coffman completed 283 of 467 passes for 3,583 yards and 78 touchdowns. Most importantly, he led the Rush to a 10-8 record and the Central Division Championship. Coffman is a two-year veteran of the AFL, having spent the 2012 season as the backup QB for the Utah Blaze. Prior to that he was a star at Kansas State throwing for over 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns during his senior season in 2010. The Peculiar, MO native led Raymore-Peculiar High School to back to back 5A State Championships in 2004 and 2005. His father, Paul played TE for 11 seasons in the NFL with Green Bay, Kansas City and Minnesota.

In addition, three other players were also acquired by Iowa through the re-assignment process. OL Antonio Narcisse was taken by Iowa with the fifth selection of the first round. Narcisse (6-2, 340) is a six year veteran of the AFL, and has spent the last three seasons as the starting center for the Utah Blaze. In the second round Iowa selected FB Ben Stallings. Stallings(5-11, 265) has spent the last three seasons as the starting FB for the Utah Blaze. During that time period, he has rushed for over 500 yards and 34 touchdowns, including a team-record 16 in 2011. The Barnstormers used their final selection in the third round to take OL Lavon McCoy, also formerly of the Utah Blaze. McCoy (6-6, 375) joined Utah in May for his rookie season and started 7 of the team's final 9 games.

Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Mike Hohensee had the following to say about the new acquisitions: "Without a doubt, we improved the talent level of our team through this process. We have acquired a Quarterback with great potential and gained valuable experience at the Center and Fullback positions. I can't wait to see what these guys can do on the field for us next spring."

In other player news, the Barnstormers have exercised rookie options on the following players: DL Mario Ambrose, FB Kai Brown, WR Marcus Harris, WR Jose Paul, DL Odrick Ray, QB Brian Reader, DL William Stokes and DB Mike Williams. All of these players have been assigned to the Iowa roster for the 2014 season.

2014 Season Ticket Prices have been set and are on sale now for as low as $110. This price includes all 9 regular season home games along with the first home playoff game. To order your season tickets now, or for more information, call the Barnstormers at (515) 633-2255 or log onto www.theiowabarnstormers.com.